Pinch Pleat Curtain Ring

ABSTRACT

A curtain holder apparatus including an integrated clip and ring that creates a pinch pleating effect, without having to sew the curtains or drapes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a curtain holder.

BACKGROUND

Curtains may be used to decorate rooms and can be hung from windows. Typically, curtains are evenly spread across a curtain rod, covering a window for privacy and adding color to a room. In such simple arrangements, the curtains may simply hang straight down. This can be viewed as plain or lacking style or originality, so there are also ways to create specific effects. Pinch pleat patterns are a highly decorative and popular style of curtains. Pinch pleat curtains draw together fabric into tightly gathered bunches at the top of the curtains, which creates the effect of folds flowing from the top to the bottom of the curtains. Typically, to achieve this pinch pleat pattern, the curtains must be sewn at the top. Pleated curtains can be challenging to sew and, if custom made by a professional or purchased ready-made, can be more expensive when compared to unpleated curtains.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosed subject matter, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings also illustrate embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. No attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosed subject matter and various ways in which it may be practiced.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the curtain holder in the closed position, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the curtain holder in the open position of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the curtain holder in the closed position of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the curtain holder in the closed position of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the curtain holder in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where a rod 1 has an integrated ring 2 on one end and a clip 3 approximately equidistant from either end of the rod. A standard curtain rod will be threaded through the integrated ring 1 and each ring will be placed on the window side of the curtain, with clip 3 facing the back of the curtain. The clip 3, which is attached to the rod, will extend downward parallel to the curtain and open horizontally. The clip 3 will clamp the curtain to create a pinched pleat. The clip 3 includes teeth 3.1 to securely grasp the curtain fabric. To create a consistent pinched pleat look, the curtain rod will pass through multiple pinch pleat drapery rings, i.e., multiple instances of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

In an embodiment, rod 1 may be approximately 3-5 inches in length, the ring 2 may be approximately 1-2 inches in diameter, and the clip 3 may be approximately 2-3 inches in length. The preferred embodiment employs metallic materials for the invention such as brass, iron, steel, aluminum, or any other similar materials. However, other materials are available that would be suitable for alternative embodiments of the invention. Examples are dense plastic, fiberglass, rigid vinyl, or any other similar materials. It is to be understood that the invention is capable of other and different embodiments to accommodate for different curtain sizes, curtain fabric weights and its parts are capable of modification without departing from the scope of the invention, and that the description and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

FIG. 2. illustrates an embodiment of the invention from a different angle. It shows the clip 3 in an open position. In this position, the clip's teeth 3.1 would be used to securely grasp a curtain (not shown).

FIG. 3. illustrates an embodiment of the invention showing detail of the clip 3. Here, a spring 3.2 on the clip 3 is shown. The figure also shows how the rod 1 passes through the clip 3.

FIG. 4. illustrates an embodiment of the invention from a side view, showing rod 1 in relation to the clip 3.

FIG. 5. illustrates an embodiment of the invention from a front view, showing the ring 2 integrated on one end of the rod 1.

In the embodiments described above, the clip 3 is spring loaded using spring 3.2. The user may pinch the clip 3 to open it. Once the clip 3 is open, a user would insert the curtain fabric between the teeth 3.1 of the clip 3. The teeth 3.1 would grip the curtain, holding it securely in place and creating a pleat.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit embodiments of the disclosed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize those embodiments as well as various embodiments with various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A curtain holder apparatus, comprising: a rod having an integrated ring on one end of the rod wherein the rod is tangential to the ring; and an integrated clip attached to the rod and configured to receive and pinch a curtain to create a pleat in the curtain.
 2. The curtain holder apparatus of claim 1, wherein said clip is approximately equidistant from either end of the rod.
 3. The curtain holder apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is made of metal or plastic.
 4. The curtain holder apparatus of claim 1, wherein said clip is spring-loaded and includes teeth to receive and securely hold the curtain.
 5. The curtain holder of claim 1, wherein said rod has an approximate length of 3-5 inches, the clip has an approximate length of 2-3 inches, and the ring has an approximate diameter of 1-2 inches. 